Griffins beat Americans, snap losing streak

ROCHESTER, N.Y. -- The last road trip of the season is just about over for the Grand Rapids Griffins, and they finally have something to celebrate.

The Griffins broke a five-game losing streak Saturday night at Copps Coliseum, squeaking out a 3-2 victory over the Rochester Americans in front of 6,929 fans behind a game-winning goal from Carl Corazzini. The win also stopped the team's franchise record seven-game losing streak on the road.

The Griffins improved to 29-40-2-6 overall with the victory, their 66-point total 10 points short of the fourth-place Hamilton Bulldogs.

Grand Rapids scored the first goal and then traded goals from there.

Garrett Stanford scored with 11:45 to go in the first period, firing in a short-handed goal off assists from Jamie Tardif and Tyler Redenbach for his 11th goal of the season. Rochester tied the game 1-1 on a power-play goal from Marek Zagrapan with 3:15 to go in the period.

Redenbach put the Griffins up 2-1 when he connected on his second goal of the year with 7:55 to play in the second period. It stayed that way until the third period, when Mark Mancari's 19th goal of the year knotted the game at 2-2 with just over 12 minutes to play.

Corazzini's game winner with 3:18 to go, his 24th goal of the year, was the difference.

Adam Berkhoel stopped 23 of 25 shots for the Griffins, who held a 39-25 edge in shots at goal.

After today's game, the team returns to Van Andel Arena for a Friday and Saturday series with the Manitoba Moose.